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Lane Closures due to I-90 Innerbelt Bridge Maintenance Expected to be Completed Ahead of Schedule

Cleveland (1:31 PM, Monday, February 09, 2009)- Crews have completed bridge maintenance work on the westbound lanes of the I-90 Innerbelt Bridge.Work currently takes place on the eastbound side of the structure, closing the right lane.

The right lane of I-90 eastbound is expected to remain closed until approximately 6 p.m. this evening, Monday, February 9.Two lanes remain open for access.Work will not impact downtown event or rush hour traffic.

Lane closures originally schedule for Tuesday, February 10 will no longer be necessary in order to accommodate bridge maintenance activities.

Current closures are necessary as crews work to complete the repair of a bridge joint on the west side of the structure.Closures are the result of maintenance activities and are in no way related to ongoing lane closures and restrictions to heavy truck traffic.

Work is being completed during the winter months as the expansion and contraction of joints is dictated by temperature and work must be completed before the joint is closed.

In October 2008, ODOT engineers restricted traffic on the Innerbelt Bridge after inspections revealed that a number of steel members on the 50-year-old Innerbelt Bridge were aging faster than expected. Further analysis and testing – combined with consultation from the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Cleveland and engineers at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Cincinnati – showed that stress and strain was not as significant but still required attention.

This Innerbelt Bridge Safety Plan, which includes reduced lanes and restricted heavy truck traffic, will remain in effect until plans are finalized to repair, reinforce or replace the aging steel structure. While no specific timetable has been determined, those decisions will likely be made during the coming months.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE ODOT DISTRICT 12 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE: